Minecraft Update Adds New Baby Mobs and Animal Variants

Mojang's latest Minecraft update introduces redesigned animals and baby mobs with new behaviors, now in beta testing.

M
minecraftnew.com
07 Jan 2026

Mojang has announced a new Minecraft update that redesigns many animals and introduces baby mob variants. This update is currently undergoing beta testing with no official release date yet.

Key facts

  • Minecraft's new update is currently in beta, with no set release date.
  • Players can find nine wolf pup variants across different biomes, tamable with bones.
  • Eleven new kitten variants have been added; they can be tamed in villages using raw cod or salmon.
  • There are three new baby chicken variants in cold, temperate, and warm climates.
  • Rabbit and piglet designs have been updated, with puffier tails and fur.
  • Five calf variants, including mooshroom calves, now graze in biome-specific pastures.

Impact / What's next

This update places a strong emphasis on charm and collectability within Minecraft by encouraging players to explore and discover these new biome-specific animal variants. Players are also encouraged to create more space for pets, enhancing their gameplay experience.

New Animal Variants and Baby Mobs in Beta